TROPICAL Storm Gordon is hurtling across the Gulf of Mexico and is set to bring damaging hurricane force winds as it approaches the western coast of Florida, with the storm expected to make landfall on Tuesday night near the border between Louisiana and Mississippi.

Related articles

A graph showing the most likely arrival time of the tropical storm (Image: NOAA)

A graph showing Hurricane Gordon (Image: NOAA)

It spells trouble for global oil markets, with the Gulf of Mexico providing 17 percent of U.S. crude oil and 5 percent of natural gas output daily according to the US Energy Information Administration.

In response, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) told South Mississippi residents to be prepared to evacuate the area.

The Inn at Ocean Springs and The Roost Hotel in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, had guests planning to ride out the storm.

Kristin Smith, general manager of both hotels, said: "A lot of guests are real comfortable sticking it out in our rooms. Any of our guests who feel like they want to go home we encourage them to follow their instincts."